The "rock star" comparison might not be fair to Sen. Barack Obama of Illinois. After all, even the world's greatest band would be envious of some of the giant crowds he has been facing out on the stump. ... Obama's campaign has set the bar pretty high. And sometimes he's being judged not only on his own merits, but by whatever excitement that surrounds him on any given night. Take one recent speech at an almost academic setting in Johnston, Iowa, where he toned down his presentation and got fewer interruptions of wild cheers and applause. In effect, it's like reading an opera script, seeing Seinfeld without the laugh track, or watching a NASCAR race with the sound on mute and no announcers hollering "Boogity-boogity-boogity!" over the roar of the engines.

Labels: Barack_Obama